Bee and other insect stings are bites
What we will do
- Gather Historical Data: Was the bite or sting witnessed? How long ago did it happen? Has the patient’s energy level changed since the incident?
- Gather Current Data: We will perform a thorough physical examination to determine if the case is mild and managed with injectable or oral medication or if it is severe—see anaphylactic shock (rare but it happens). Sometimes we discover a stinger still lodged in the patient, or a raised area of skin where the reaction may have started. Every now and then we see a patient who vomits up a dead bee!
- Treatment: Many cases respond to injectable corticosteroids, and one or two types of antihistamines (H-1 Blockers like diphenhydramine and H-2 blockers like famotidine) and go home. We may monitor temperature, heartrate, blood pressure and respiratory effort and compare it to the beginning of treatment to make sure the patient is fully responding. Some patients still have an allergen on them and benefit from a thorough bath.